What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.

Christopher Hitchens (1949 - 2011) was an Anglo-American author and journalist. His books made him a prominent public intellectual and a staple of talk shows and lecture circuits. He was a columnist and literary critic at Vanity Fair, Slate, The Atlantic, World Affairs, The Nation, Free Inquiry and a variety of other media outlets. He was named one of the world's "Top 100 Public Intellectuals" by Foreign Policy and Britain's Prospect.

"Please join us for a debate between God is Not Great author Christopher Hitchens and Barry Brummett (University of Texas at Austin) on the resolution 'Religion, as a literary value, is a force for good.'

The Observer - April 24, 2011.Martin Amis hails the peerless intelligence and rhetorical ingenuity of his exceptional friend, Christopher Hitchens.

"..Christopher is one of the most terrifying rhetoricians that the world has yet seen. Lenin used to boast that his objective, in debate, was not rebuttal and then refutation: it was the "destruction" of his interlocutor. This isn't Christopher's policy – but it is his practice."

"Christopher Hitchens was scheduled to appear at the American Atheist convention, but had to cancel because of his illness. He sent this letter instead.

Dear fellow-unbelievers,

Nothing would have kept me from joining you except the loss of my voice (at least my speaking voice) which in turn is due to a long argument I am currently having with the specter of death. Nobody ever wins this argument, though there are some solid points to be made while the discussion goes on."

Does Kate Middleton really want to marry into a family like this?By Christopher Hitchens

"A hereditary monarch, observed Thomas Paine, is as absurd a proposition as a hereditary doctor or mathematician. But try pointing this out when everybody is seemingly moist with excitement about the cake plans and gown schemes of the constitutional absurdity's designated mother-to-be."Read More (Slate)

How the most exasperating of poets met his matchBy Christopher Hitchens

"IN MAY 1941, Philip Larkin was the treasurer of the Oxford University English Club and in that capacity had to take the visiting speaker George Orwell out to dinner after he had addressed the membership on the subject of “Literature and Totalitarianism.” Larkin’s main recollection: “We took Dylan Thomas to the Randolph and George Orwell to the not-so-good hotel. I suppose it was my first essay in practical criticism."

"CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS (Canceled due to health problems -- Mr. Hitchens will write an original letter to be read at the convention.)"

Dave Silverman, President of American Atheists: Hitchens can't make the convention even by video. He will (hopefully) be writing a statement to be read instead. I am very sad that such a lovely light is growing so dim.

How has Robert Mugabe been able to rule Zimbabwe for so long?By Christopher Hitchens

"Now that the South African political leadership has—after years of shameful silence and even complicity—declined to continue its open-ended indulgence of Robert Mugabe, it becomes possible to envisage a time when Zimbabwe will be free of the hideous regime of one man and one-party rule."Read More (Slate)

"Sky Arts is screening back-to-back interviews with the Hitchens brothers: writer Peter who's known for his conservative and pro-religious stance and writer Christopher who's liberal, left-wing and antitheist (look it up, we had to)."

UPDATE - April 22, 2011
Full list The 2011 Time 100:http://ti.me/hkiUkx
No Hitch, but there's always next year.

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, innovators, icons and heroes that you think are the most influential people in the world. The winner will be included in the TIME 100. Voting closes on April 14

Hamid Karzai's despicable response to the Quran burning in Florida.By Christopher Hitchens
"Heinrich Heine's famous observation about book burning—that where books are burned, people also will be—was actually first made about the torching of the Quran. The Spanish Inquisition used to delight in putting heretical works "on trial," and zealously convicted the Muslim holy book before feeding it to the flames in what is one of Christianity's oldest traditions."

Does it matter if it's true or not on a day like this, April 1? Anyhow, it's a fun announcement.

"Megadeth frontman and founding member Dave Mustaine has announced that he will appearing on Fox News on April 15th, to engage in a debate with author, journalist and outspoken atheist, Christopher Hitchens. Mustaine, who is very outspoken about his Christian beliefs, claims that Hitchens is no more than a bully and his criticism of Christianity is “cruel” and “mean.”

"After she was elected the first female governor of Texas, in 1924, and got herself promptly embroiled in an argument about whether Spanish should be used in Lone Star schools, it is possible that Miriam A. “Ma” Ferguson did not say, “If the King’s English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it’s good enough for the children of Texas.” I still rather hope that she did."